COVID-19 RESPONSE FOR ZAMBIAN COMMUNITIES

Thanks to the tremendous support from our donors The Butterfly Tree has been able to provide PPE to 40 rural schools and 30 clinics. The opening of the first term for the new school year, was pushed back from January to early February due to the increase in coronavirus cases caused by the new variant from South Africa. However there were no more interruptions, and the first term has just come to an end.

Schools are given a donation of masks, soap, disinfectant, and hand sanitizing gel, without this provision they would not be allowed to open. Though the cases have reduced, Zambia is heading towards winter when there could be a rise in cases. Therefore it is imperative that we continue with the distribution next term.

Because most people cannot afford to buy protective masks, we have two youths in Mukuni Village who have been trained as tailors, making masks. We are shortly going to start a second production line with four female tailors in Musokotwane village. Besides helping their community they can earn an income, and using reusable masks is much cheaper than disposable ones and better for the environment.

Food shortages remain an issue for those communities that rely heavily on tourism. Therefore we continue to provide bags of maize for those most in need, primarily orphans and vulnerable children. Fortunately, the rainy season, which has just come to an end, has been exceptionally good this year and for those who could afford to buy seeds, bumper crops are expected.

Until tourism opens up, we must continue to help those that have had no income since March 2020. In addition to people working in hotels and lodges communities such as Mukuni and Simonga normally receive tourists every week. The tour operators pay a small percentage for every tourist that visits the villages, and all of them have curio markets selling gifts and souvenirs. We are working with a tourism consultant to see how we can attract more tourists once it is again safe for people to travel to Zambia to see the spectacular Victoria Falls and to go on safaris.

COVID-19 support is still very much needed and all donations, however small, are very much appreciated.

COVID-19 continues to impact communities in Zambia despite the number of coronavirus cases being relatively low. The Kazungula District in Southern Province is home to the mighty Victoria Falls, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and the borders to Botswana with its abundant game reserves.

Globally the tourism industry has virtually come to a standstill. Travel for many is no longer an option let alone a luxury. Two villages, where we work, Mukuni and Simonga rely heavily on tourism as their main source of income, but neither have received any tourists since March.

The consequences are dire. After experiencing the worst drought in over 3 years, COVID-19 immerged, and hunger in many areas is apparent. People working in lodges and hotels, tour operators, guides, and curio makers and sellers are seeking alternative ways to feed their families. The rains have now started and those that can afford to buy seeds are currently planting. However, it will be some months before the main crops are ready to harvest.

Sadly, for many, especially elderly people and widows without income, life is a constant struggle. Grandparents who have lost their children are struggling to feed their grandchildren and child-headed households are in great need.

Thanks to the considerable amount of support, we have received during our Christmas Appeal for bags of maize and mosquito nets many families are being helped. Though the rains have started early only vegetables have a short growing time. Therefore, we have distributed bags of maize to all the orphans on our support programme and the most vulnerable families in the Chiefdoms of Mukuni, Musokotwane and Sekute. 

We have been overwhelmed by your support and hope that this will continue until the situation improves. Wishing all our donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries a peaceful and health New Year.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Food Projects